Which is the structure of a zwitterion of an amino acid?
A
H\(_2\)N– CH – COO\(^{-}\)
H\(_2\)C– CH\(_2\) – CH\(_2\) – NH\(_3^{+}\)
B
H\(_2\)N– CH – COO\(^{-}\)
H\(_2\)C– COO\(^{-}\)
C
H\(_2\)N– CH – COO\(^{-}\)
H\(_2\)C– OH\(_2\)
D
H\(_2\)N– CH – COO\(^{-}\)
H\(_2\)C– SH
- AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 35 - 2021 - Paper 3
Question 35
Which is the structure of a zwitterion of an amino acid?
A
H\(_2\)N– CH – COO\(^{-}\)
H\(_2\)C– CH\(_2\) – CH\(_2\) – NH\(_3^{+}\)
B
H\(_2\)N– CH – COO\(^{-}\)
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Worked Solution & Example Answer:Which is the structure of a zwitterion of an amino acid?
A
H\(_2\)N– CH – COO\(^{-}\)
H\(_2\)C– CH\(_2\) – CH\(_2\) – NH\(_3^{+}\)
B
H\(_2\)N– CH – COO\(^{-}\)
H\(_2\)C– COO\(^{-}\)
C
H\(_2\)N– CH – COO\(^{-}\)
H\(_2\)C– OH\(_2\)
D
H\(_2\)N– CH – COO\(^{-}\)
H\(_2\)C– SH
- AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 35 - 2021 - Paper 3
Step 1
Identify the zwitterion structure.
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Answer
The correct structure of a zwitterion of an amino acid is represented in option D:
H2N–C–COO−H2C–SH
In a zwitterion, there is a net zero charge due to the presence of both a positively charged amine group (–NH(_3^{+})) and a negatively charged carboxylate group (–COO(^{-})). In this case, option D illustrates that condition effectively.